Europe has always attracted travelers with its rich history, culture and natural beauty. Poland, located in the heart of this continent, holds a special place with its unique atmosphere, centuries-old traditions and fascinating charm. Traveling to Poland means not only visiting historical monuments and sights, but also feeling the soul of this country, touching its cultural heritage. In this article, we will embark on a journey into the magical world of Poland and discover together what this country can offer you.
The capital of Poland, Warsaw, is the political, economic and cultural center of the country. But Poland is not only about Warsaw. Cities such as Krakow, Gdansk, Wrocław, Poznan also attract tourists with their unique attractions. Each city is distinguished by its history, architecture and culture. For example, Krakow is known as one of the oldest cities in Poland and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
When planning a trip to Poland, the main things to consider are transportation, climate, and budget. Located in the heart of Europe, Poland is a convenient destination for tourists from neighboring countries. Direct flights to the country are available from major cities in Europe and other continents. Poland's well-developed rail network is also ideal for domestic travel.
When it comes to climate, Poland has a temperate continental climate with four distinct seasons. In summer, travelers can enjoy pleasant weather, and in winter, they can enjoy skiing in the mountains. In terms of budget, Poland is more affordable than other European countries. In addition to hostels, hotels, and Airbnb options, you can also try delicious food at local restaurants at affordable prices.
5 Places You Must See in Poland
Poland is a country that offers something for every tourist. Below we have listed some of the most popular places and activities you can visit in Poland.
Historical and Cultural Sites
- Warsaw: The capital of Poland, Warsaw is a city where history and modern culture meet. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the city's most popular tourist attraction. Places such as the Wawel Royal Castle, St. John's Cathedral (Valletta) and the National Museum of Warsaw are ideal places to explore the city's historical heritage.
- Krakow: One of the oldest cities in Poland, Krakow is considered the country's cultural capital. Krakow is also home to historical sites related to World War II. The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is a must-see for those who want to relive historical memories.
- Gdansk: Located on the Baltic Sea, Gdansk is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland. It is famous for its colorful houses, historic streets and sea views. Gdansk is also known for its Solidarnost Museum. This museum provides information about the Solidarność movement, which played an important role in Poland's modern history.
- Wrocław: Wrocław is a colorful city in western Poland. The city is famous for its unique architecture and the small gnome statues that line its streets. The Wrocław Cathedral is one of the main attractions for visitors.
Nature
- Tatra Mountains: Located in southern Poland, the Tatra Mountains are a paradise for nature lovers. The city of Zakopane is a popular destination for mountain tourism and winter sports. It is known for its activities such as hiking, and other winter sports.
- Białowieża National Park: Located on the border of Poland and Belarus, Białowieża National Park is one of the oldest and largest natural parks in Europe. This forest is home to rare animal species such as bison and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Masurian Lakes: Located in northeastern Poland, the Masurian Lakes are an ideal destination for tourists. There are more than 2,000 lakes in this region and you can spend your time effectively by doing canoeing, sailing and fishing.
Transportation, Hotels and Daily Expenses in Poland
Poland has a very well-developed transport network. There are many options for travelling within and between cities. Train services in Poland are very efficient. Trains are the fastest and most convenient way to travel between cities. There are frequent train services between major cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, Gdańsk and Wrocław. Bus services between cities are also widespread. Companies such as FlixBus offer budget-friendly travel options. Metro, tram and bus services are widespread in major cities such as Warsaw, Krakow and Gdańsk. Using public transport to travel within the city is convenient and cost-effective.
Poland has a very well-developed transport network. There are many options for travelling within and between cities. Train services in Poland are very efficient. Trains are the fastest and most convenient way to travel between cities. There are frequent train services between major cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, Gdańsk and Wrocław. Bus services between cities are also widespread. Companies such as FlixBus offer budget-friendly travel options. Metro, tram and bus services are widespread in major cities such as Warsaw, Krakow and Gdańsk. Using public transport to travel within the city is convenient and cost-effective.
In terms of daily expenses, Poland is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. You should expect to spend at least PLN 100-200 (EUR 20-50) per day on food, transportation, and activities. This amount can be enough for activities such as eating out, using public transportation, and visiting tourist attractions.
Traveling to Poland: Where to start?
Poland is a unique place among European countries, distinguished by both its historical and cultural heritage. With its capital city Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk and Poznan, visitors can experience both a historical journey and the dynamics of modern Europe. Poland's unique architecture, the magic of its nature, and its rich culture and art are some of the main factors that attract every tourist. If you want to travel to this country, the first step you need to take is to apply for a Poland Schengen visa.
Since Poland is part of the Schengen zone, a Schengen visa is required to enter the country. This visa allows you to travel freely not only within Poland, but also within other Schengen countries. If you have family members, friends or relatives living in Poland and you want to visit them and at the same time explore this beautiful country, you can apply for a visitor visa. A visitor visa is intended for short-term trips and usually allows you to stay for up to 90 days.
In this article, we will share detailed information about the documents required for a Poland Schengen visa, preparation of an invitation letter, and the visa application process. Get ready to discover the beauties of Poland and meet the people you love! Having successfully completed the visa process, you can plan your trip to this unique country.
Poland Visa Types
Since Poland is among the Travel Countries, you can carry out your planned short-term trip with a Poland Travel Visa. The reasons for applying for this type of visa include travel, family and friend visits, business trips, medical examination and treatment, short-term education, exchange programs and other non-permanent situations. Individuals who wish to receive long-term education (bachelor's, master's, doctoral, etc.) in Poland for more than 90 days or take advantage of permanent work opportunities there can apply for a Polish national visa by obtaining an official invitation or acceptance letter from the relevant educational and work institutions.
To make your short-term visit, you apply for the "visitor visa" type of the Polish Schengen visa. It should be noted that a short-term visitor visa does not allow you to permanently settle in Poland; it is only for your short-term visit.
Poland Tourist Visa
As in all Schengen countries, the Polish Schengen visa has single-entry and multiple-entry options. In addition, you can apply for long-term visas such as three months, six months, one year, two years or five years. After obtaining a Polish visa, you have the opportunity to enter any Travel country. However, in any case, we advise you to enter the Travel territory for the first time from the country where you received the visa, i.e. Poland. Otherwise, if you try to enter the Travel territory from another country (especially Western European countries) with a Polish visa without stating this in your application, the border service of that country may, although in rare cases, turn you back and refuse to allow you to enter the country. These cases have been observed in some cases, and therefore we recommend that you act with this risk in mind.
If you are applying for a Poland Travel Visa, you must clearly indicate the duration of your trip, i.e. the maximum number of days you will stay in Poland.
Documents Required for Poland Tourist Visa Application
When applying for a Poland Tourist visa, you must submit the following documents:
- Original and copy of the first page of your passport
- Copies of your previous visas and entry-exit stamps, if applicable
- Copy of your ID card
- Employment certificate* and, if applicable, salary slip (for those studying, certificate from the educational institution)
- Bank account statement (Detailed information on the amount is listed below)
- Bank account statement for at least the last 3 months
- Copy of property records and vehicle registration documents in your name, if applicable
- Proof of your civil status (If married, a copy of your marriage certificate, if you have children under 18, a copy of their birth certificates or a copy of the divorce decree if your marriage has been dissolved)
- 2 biometric photos, 3.5x4.5 in size, with a white background
- Airline tickets you have booked for your trip
- Hotel reservations you have made for your trip
- Full coverage of your trip Travel insurance in accordance with Schengen rules
- Application form filled out in English
- Printed version of the document issued by the system confirming the appointment
- Invitation letter sent to you by the person you will visit (Detailed below)
- Document confirming the right of the person inviting you to reside in Poland (residence permit, national visa, etc.)
- If you have a family relationship with the person inviting you, a document confirming this (for example, a birth certificate if it is your child; a birth certificate for both of you if it is your brother or sister, etc.)
Documents marked with an “*” must be submitted to the embassy in English. If the original document is not in English, each document must be notarized and translated into English.
After your documents are accepted, you may be asked to provide additional documents by calling the embassy during the visa process. In some cases, the Polish embassy has requested that applicants submit proof of payment for their hotel reservations along with the documents.
The invitation letter you receive should include all the details such as the name, surname, address, contact details of the inviting person, the information of the invited person, duration of stay and accommodation details. The letter should also include the signature of the inviting person. If the invitation letter states that you will be staying at their home, the embassy may additionally request documents related to the home (rental agreement, utility bills).
The amount in your bank account may vary depending on the travel dates you specify, i.e. the duration of your stay in Schengen, the prices of the flights and hotels you book. In general, it is advisable to have at least 2,000-4,000 AZN (also in euros or US dollars) in your account for a week-long trip. This figure should fully cover your travel plan. When calculating, it is recommended to add the cost of tickets and hotel reservations to the average cost of 60-70 euros for each day you will stay in the Schengen area, and keep the amount you receive slightly higher.
If your travel expenses will be covered by the person inviting you, this should be clearly stated in the invitation letter. In this case, documents confirming the financial means of that person (employment certificate, bank statement for the last 3-6 months, etc.) must be submitted.
If you are an entrepreneur, you can submit documents to the embassy that will replace the certificate from your workplace (a copy of your TIN, a certificate of your turnover from the Ministry of Taxes, an extract from the register of your company). If you are unemployed, studying, or if you are sponsoring another person to cover your travel expenses, in this case, a copy of the sponsor's ID card, a certificate from your workplace (if you are an entrepreneur, the documents listed above), a certificate and extract from your bank account (the account can be in both your and the sponsor's name), a document confirming your family ties (for example, a birth certificate if you are a parent, birth certificates of both of you if you are a brother or sister, etc.) and a document on sponsorship must be submitted. If the applicant is under 18 years of age, a copy of the document authorizing the exit of both parents if traveling alone, or of the other parent if traveling with one of the parents, must also be submitted.
It should be noted that when submitting documents such as your turnover certificate from the Ministry of Taxes, your company's registry extract, or sponsorship and permission papers, each must be translated into English and certified by a notary. A copy of the TIN will suffice.
Visa Procedure
An application for a Polish visa is submitted to the Polish Embassy in Azerbaijan. The decision on the visa is made by the consul at the consular department of the embassy.
Appointments for a Polish visa differ from those for other Schengen countries. Thus, in order to schedule an appointment for a visa application, a suitable date is first selected in the consulate's system and then an online application form is activated. This application form must be completed within 60 minutes, otherwise the scheduled appointment may be canceled. Therefore, it is important to have all the required information ready before scheduling an appointment so that the application does not take much time to complete. After completing and confirming the form, the selected date and the corresponding automatically scheduled appointment time are displayed on the last page. Thus, the applicant can choose a suitable day for the visa appointment from among the available dates, but the appointment time will be automatically assigned by the system. In some cases, it is not possible to select a date in the system, i.e. there is currently no free appointment time. In such cases, it is necessary to wait for a new slot to open in the system. These slots are available on the 10th, 20th and 30th of each month (if these dates fall on a non-working day, they may be opened one day earlier or later; it is advisable to check with the embassy in advance) and are systematically provided three times a month.
It is essential to make an appointment in advance, otherwise the documents will not be accepted. Visa applications can be submitted no earlier than 6 months before the date of travel. Personal presence is required when submitting documents, but children under 12 years of age are not required to attend the appointment.
Note: Especially during business trips, it is sometimes possible to schedule an appointment for an earlier date than the time indicated in the system. In this case, the company in Poland should contact the Polish Embassy in Baku by email or phone.
The Schengen visa process can take 10-20 business days from the date of application. The visa fee is 35 euros and can only be paid in cash and euros upon submission of documents.
Probability of Obtaining a Poland Travel Visa
As with all visa applications to embassies, your chances of getting a visa in Poland depend on your profile. Your job and position are stable, your monthly income is within the standard salary range (in practice, visas have been issued to people with a monthly income of 300-500 AZN), your bank account has the amount that will fully cover your trip, factors that prove your commitment to the country (property ownership, family and children), and your travel history are the main factors that increase your chances of getting a Polish Travel Visa. Our experience shows that the Polish Embassy is one of the embassies that has issued the first visa to applicants who have not previously had a Travel Visa. In other words, the Polish Embassy is considered one of the bodies that can provide a relatively successful result during the application for people who have not previously had a visa. However, of course, the presence of previously obtained visas also significantly increases your chances of getting a Polish Travel Visa.
When applying for a visitor visa, the existence of a close family relationship with the person inviting you and the submission of documents confirming this, as well as the accuracy and completeness of the information you provide about yourself and the person inviting you, increase your chances of obtaining a visa.
Visa Support to Poland
We are ready to support you during your Poland Travel Visa application. If you use our visa support service, our services include making an appointment at the embassy on your behalf, filling out the application form, professionally preparing your documents, booking flight tickets for your trip, arranging or purchasing hotel reservations according to your requirements, drawing up a travel itinerary for your visa, providing travel insurance for your trip, consulting and monitoring your visa procedure. Please note that the travel insurance fee is calculated separately from the service fee. Usually, the fee for this insurance is between 16-18 AZN for 1 week. You can also obtain the insurance yourself. We can also assist you with notarized translation and certification of documents into English. An additional fee of 16 AZN is required for each document. In total, our support service fee for a Poland Travel Visitor Visa is 79 AZN per person.
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For more information, please contact 010/50/55-3000135.
Hurry up and embark on a journey to the heart of Europe. Happy travels!
